Chch back on map

Last updated 05:00 01/04/2011

 

The Rugby World Cup website has put  Christchurch back on the map.

Despite hosting the All Blacks and having a fully functional international airport, the earthquake-hit city did not feature on a map on the official cup website, www.rugbyworldcup.com, which showed the match venue cities and major airports.

Queenstown, which is not hosting a game, featured on the map because it has an international airport.

RWR had now moved to change the website to include Christchurch's airport status.

Christchurch lost its World Cup games after February's earthquake damaged AMI Stadium and several major hotels.

Central City Business Association manager Paul Lonsdale said being off the map was disappointing.

"Whilst the CBD has taken a massive hit, we still have all our other attributes," he said.

"We're still the gateway to the South Island and there are plans afoot to do something during the World Cup, even though we're not hosting any rugby matches.

"We still see ourselves as being a very important piece of the puzzle. We want to be back on the map."

Rugby World Cup communications manager Mike Jaspers said the website was changed after new venues for games originally scheduled for Christchurch were announced.

The city was accidentally removed from the map, and would be reinstated as an international airport site as soon as possible, he said.

"This is simply an oversight that is in the process of being corrected," he said.

One comment on The Press website last night read: "An utter insult to Christchurch and all its residents. How appalling and insensitive."

Christchurch will host the All Blacks during the Cup, while the Australian team will stay in Hanmer Springs.